STC NEWSLINE
An in-house publication
September 2015
A Message from STC Chairman

To All STC Members,
 
This has been a busy year for the industry and I look forward to seeing everyone at the STC's Annual Membership Meeting on October 5-7 in Atlanta. The meeting will feature keynote speaker Coach Dick Vermeil, a debut of the industry's new branding video, several new educational sessions and panels, and a warm introduction to the new Board of Directors for the next fiscal year. Please register and book your rooms early so that the STC office staff can adequately prepare for your arrival.

STC STAFF

Al Garver, CAE, President

Terrie Ward, Marketing & Education Director

Melanie Taylor, Member Services Director

In This Issue: Four Pillars
Over the last several months, we have hired and welcomed the STC's new President, Al Garver, CAE, and we continue to work via the Four Pillars of Advocate, Market, Educate and Retain/Recruit Members to summarize the strategy and focus of the organization.

Thank you for being a valued part of the STC and for your leadership in the industry. Have a safe and happy Labor Day holiday weekend.

Regards,
Robert Thomas, Chairman
Meet Al Garver, CAE

The STC recently announced Al Garver as its next president of the national non-profit trade association for the synthetic turf industry. Al is a Certified Association Executive who brings an extensive background in developing and advancing strategic plans, member-focused advocacy, public policy objectives, and membership programs. Al, Terrie, and Melanie look forward to greeting the membership at the upcoming Annual Membership Meeting on October 5-7, 2015 in Atlanta, GA. To learn more about Al, click here, or feel free to contact him directly at (678) 385-6720 or [email protected].
ADVOCATE ON CRITICAL ISSUES
STC Interviews with NBC National News

STC President Al Garver reported that on August 17, 2015 he had completed a 45-minute on-camera interview with NBC National News correspondent Stephanie Gosk at the STC office headquarters to discuss the industry's advancements over the past year regarding the safety of infill. The interview included questions on: the lack of response by federal and regulatory agencies; STC's development of infill guidelines; whether synthetic turf should be considered a children's product; reaction on topics such as the lack of response by federal and regulatory agencies, STC tto the positive and negative feedback from the research community; and the current supply and demand for alternative infill products. Currently, the story is slated to air the week of September 7, 2015, with two pieces for the Nightly News and possibly the Today Show. We will keep you updated on any new developments.
New Suggested Environmental Guidelines for Infill

Recently, the STC announced environmental guidelines for testing infills used in synthetic turf sports and recreation fields. The STC Suggested Environmental Guidelines for Infill are designed to add another level of information for parents, players, owners and operators of synthetic turf fields. We are grateful to our volunteers on the STC Board of Directors and Infill Guidelines Task Force for their time and hard work in achieving a final consensus on this important and much anticipated guidance document. Thank you!
EDUCATE
REGISTER NOW!
STC Annual Membership Meeting, Oct. 5-7, ATL

Make plans to head down south for the STC's 2015 Annual Membership Meeting on October 5-7, 2015 at the JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead. This meeting will provide excellent technical education and networking opportunities. There is no better way to engage with fellow industry leaders than to attend what we hope will be the largest gathering in the synthetic turf industry. If you know of a company that is interested in joining the STC, please forward the following link to encourage them to join us as a guest: http://www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/event/2015_atlanta

PROGRAM UPDATE: Whistle-Stop Seminar is cancelled for Wednesday, October 7

Due to some unexpected changes in the program for the Atlanta meeting, the Whistle-Stop Seminar has been cancelled. We will work diligently to resume this educational session in the near future.
STC Webinar: "Is Synthetic Turf Right fo r Me?"

At the recommendation of the Education Committee, the STC will introduce its second live webinar, "Is Synthetic Turf Right for Me?" to focus on the benefits, cost-effectiveness, maintenance, and sustainability, end-of-life disposal options for synthetic turf sports fields. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. For more information, click here.

Industry Calendar

DATE
EVENT NAME
LOCATION
ATTENDING
Sept.15-16, 2015 ESTO (European Synthetic Turf Organisation) Congress
Rome, Italy
Al Garver
Sept. 15-17, 2015 NRPA (National Recreation & Park Association) Congress & Exposition Las Vegas, NV Terrie Ward, Melanie Taylor
Sept. 30, 2015
via WebEx
Buyers & end-users
Oct. 5-7, 2015 Atlanta, GA Al Garver, Terrie Ward, Melanie Taylor
Oct. 27-30, 2015
FSB
Cologne, Germany
Al Garver
Oct. 28, 2015

The Big Turf Networking Party & ESTO Awards 
Cologne, Germany
Al Garver
Nov. 6-9, 2015
ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) Annual Meeting & Expo
Chicago, IL

Nov. 2-5, 2015
Georgia Recreation & Parks Association Annual Meeting & Conference
Dalton, GA
Terrie Ward, Melanie Taylor

View all industry events »
MARKET
City of Refuge Community Service Project is Postponed Due to Construction Hold by City of Atlanta

Recently, the STC learned that the city of Atlanta shut down the City of Refuge construction project for three weeks due to some changes that were required in its schematics. The construction crews just went back to work on Monday, August 24. Due to this delay, the installation of the play field and fitness center cannot be completed prior to the October STC meeting. We anticipate the official dedication ceremony will be scheduled for mid-December 2015. The STC and City of Refuge will develop a holiday-themed event with media coverage.  We will notify the membership once the date and time is set and encourage as many members within driving distance to participate. We also plan to have video coverage of the dedication ceremony for distribution to all members and posting on the STC website.
Catch the Premier of the New STC Video in Atlanta
 
The upcoming Annual Membership Meeting in Atlanta will feature a sneak peek at the STC's new branding and educational video showcasing the synthetic turf industry and the many different applications and community benefits of synthetic grass.
RETAIN & RECRUIT MEMBERS
Newest Members: Welcome!
 
Preston Buckman, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation
Buyer, End-user

Russ Baucom, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation
Buyer, End-user

Crowleys Concepts
Regional Landscape & Recreation Installers

FTE
Independent Professionals & Consultants

If you know of a company or individual who might have an interest in becoming an STC member or attending the STC Annual Membership Meeting as a guest, please send their contact information to Melanie Taylor, Member Services Director at [email protected].
Congratulations to BSC Group, Inc. for Earning STC Certification!

BSG Group, Inc.
STC Certified Independent Professional & Consultant
Featured Member Category: Builders & Installers

STC members in this category are companies responsible for installing synthetic systems either directly or indirectly through a sub-contractor or distributor. These organizations often have turn-key responsibility for the synthetic turf installation and provide the overall warranty for the installation.

To locate a builder or installer of synthetic turf for sports fields or landscape, please visit the STC Buyers' Guide & Member Directory.

STC Builders, Installers & Contractors: STC Certified

Academy Sports Turf
ForeverLawn at the Shore
Alpine Services, Inc.
ForeverLawn Inc.
Anax Turf, LLC ForeverLawn of Tampa Bay
Applied Landscape Technologies, Inc.
Heavenly Greens
AstroTurf LLC
J. Moxie & Sons LLC / Synthetic Turf Drs. LLC
A-Turf, Inc.
Maumee Bay Turf Center
BDE SportsTurf
Motz Group Inc, The
Byrne & Jones Sports Noland Sports Turf
California Track & Engineering, Inc.
ProGrass LLC
Carter Construction Company
Shaw Industries/Shaw Sports Turf
Chenango Contracting, Inc./Chenango Sports, Inc. Shrewsbury Landscapes, Inc.
Coastal Turf Spear Industries LLC
Crowleys Concepts Sports Turf One, Inc.
Deluxe Athletics, LLC
Swank Sports dba AstroBuilders
Down to Earth Landscaping, Inc. Symmetry Turf Installations, LLC
Environmental Turf Services LLC
TPK Inc.
Field of Green / ForeverLawn West Turf and Sport, LLC
FIELDS
Vibra-Whirl Sports
August 3, 2015
July 20, 2015
July 14, 2015
July 1, 2015
If you have a news item that you would like the STC to post on its website and in this e-newsletter, please add Terrie Ward, [email protected] to your distribution list.